Means for gasifying liquid fuels



April 9 1940- y I micron4 2,196,536

ANS FOR GASIFYIHGLIQUID FUELS rund by 1o.Y 195'? s sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Apr. 9, 1940 .UNITED STATI-:s

vannuals PATeNr OFFICE MEANS roa easmme mQUm Finials'v 'madman runt, men. 'p Applicauun May 1o, 1937, serial No. 141,631 I nomma. flor. tzr-444` This invention relatestoan improved apparatus -for converting liquid fuel into highly combustible xed gases and more particularly to an apparatus for converting liquid hydrocarbons,

such as distillates, fuel oil andthe like, into combustible, fixed gases adapted for the operation of internal combustion engines, furnaces and other Idomestic and industrial purposes. This application relates to an apparatus for utilizing the method of my prior applications Serial No. f

690,427, illed September 21, 1933, and Serial No. 54,377 led December 14, 1935, and issued May 11, 1937, as Patent No. 2,079,632. i

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for converting non-readily volatiliz'ed hydrocarbons into volatile and highly combustible, fixed gases, substantially free. of

uncombined carbon.-

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for converting liquid fuels into fixed` gases and embodyingmeans for utilizing a more volatile fuel when the apparatus is started cold and-until it reaches such a temperature as to permit emcient operation on a heavier fuel.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus with new and kimproved means forchanging from onevfuel to another so that whenv a change-y over is made the last selected fuel is conveyed substantially directly to the fuel consuming parts of theapparatus. -f L 1- Another object of theinvention isto provide an apparatus'whereby' liquid Lfuels may be con verted into Ahighly combustible, xedgases quickly, elcientlyand economically.

Further objects. include the-provision,` in a new and improved apparatus whereina' portion ofthe fuel is burnedfto supply heat `for thel which has not gasied, and insuring vits gael--` cation. 50 Other objects and advantages will become readily apparent from the following detailed de y scription taken in connection with the accomy panying drawings, in which:

Fig. l isa vertical central section through a 55 preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section' approximately along the line 2---w2 of Fig. 1. f

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section approximately along the line 3-3 'of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is ya fragmentary section along the' line 5 4 4 of Fig. 5. 1

Fig.` 5 is ahorizontal section approximatelllr along the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section on line t of Fig. 1.

Figs 7 is a fragmentary section along line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an elevation.

Fig. 9'is a central section through the twofuel valve, showing the valve in the position'for 5 feeding gasoline to the converter. v n

` Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the valve.

' While a preferred form of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings and shall hereinafter'be described in detail, it is not intended 20 to limit the invention to the particular form and arrangement shown, it being contemplated that various changes may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In the form shown, the invention comprises generally a main body member I0, a converter casing Il -boited to one side of the body member, and a fuel bowl I2 mounted on top of the converter casing. The body member Iisfsomewhat similar to the main body of' a carbureter and is adapted to be positioned vertically as shown with its lower end III' connected to the I0' has a disk-like throttle valve I5 mounted on ahorizontal ft I6 and operable by means of 40 an arm I1 pro ded with a control wire attaching device IB. .A coverelement I9 is secured to the' top of thebody member I0 by means of bolts 20 andl has a tubular portion I9', a part of which extends upwardly to form an air intake, and part of which extends downwardly into the pas# sage I4 and has an inclined lower edge 2| vwhich vforms a seat for an air valveor compensator 22,

the` construction and operationrof which will bef described more'fully hereinafter. 50

'thewsamefuei Preferablyme inert gasesY rel ,sulting from the complete combustion of the relatively "small quantity .of fuel are rst mixed with a limited amount gf atmospheric air so that ,this air will also be heated before admixture with the' larger quantity of fuel, the atmospheric air thus mixed with the inert gases being merely sufficient to support combustion of the lighter portions of the main fuel. To accomplis'h this, fuel from the bowl I2 is divided into two streams, ya .small one-'of which is initially mixed with sumcient air (preferably preheated)- so that when burned with said air complete combustion will take plage, and the second of which is fed into a mixture of the hot inert gases resulting from 4such combustion and a regulated amount of air. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the fuel bowl I2 has a lower portion I2' forming a cover for the4 converter casingll and has an upstanding tubular part extending above the l normal fuel level -in the bowl. A fuel conveying albe -zs 1s positioned within-the bore 21 of the l tubular portionv 25 and is threaded at its. upper end for engagementA with corresponding threads on the tubular portion 25. Adjacent its lower end the fuel tube 25 has a shoulder 23 between which and the adjacent surface of the cover portion I 2' a suitable gasket 23 is positioned, thus leaving an annular port intermediate the fuel tube and the fuel bowl. A plurality of holes 26 v arepreferably. drilled vertically through 4,the

. threads on-the fuel tube 25 and tubular portion 25, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 'I so as to permit fuel to pass downwardly therethrough and into the annular port 21 formed between the fuel tube and the bore 21.

'I'he fuel converter comprises generally a flame chamber FC formed intermediate a plate and a cup-shaped member 3| having a top ilange 32abutting the plate 30, a gasifying chamber GC formed principally in, a tubular member 33 secured in the lower portion of the cup 3|, and an exit -passage from the chamber GC comprising a port or passage 34 between the cup-shaped member 3| and a second surrounding cup-shaped member 35, ports 31 in the member 35 and passages 33 intermediate the member 35 and the plate 42 from `which a plurality of burner tubes- 43 extend. Means is provided for supplying .these burner tubes with a mixture of fuel or fuel vapor and air, this means herein being disclosed as comprising a fuel supply tube 44 (Figs. 1 and 5) fed from the annular port,21' .by means of a'- horizontalport 45 (Fig. 1 a connecting port 46 anda jet 41. The tube 44 passes downwardly through the flame chamber, (so as to be heated thereby)` through the bottom yplate 42 ofv the flame chamberand into a lower annular plate 55. Fuelfed from the` jet." and through the fuel tube 44 .passes into an annular mixingv chamber, 5| located between the annular plate 55 and a lower annular plate 52.' Air is supplied to thisl'ehamber by means of an air tube 53 which is secured at its upper end in the cover.

aisance heated thereby and discharge A plurality of ribs I I I2and extends downwardly through the flame chamber (wherein it is nested) and then downwardly through suitable openings in the plates L35, 42, 55 and 52 so as to discharge heated air into an annular chamber 54 formed in the lower portion of the cup 3l below the plate 52. Air

from the tube 53 passes annularly through the chamber 54 and up through a port 55 which is allned with the fuel tube 44 so that the up wardly moving heated air passing into the chamber v5| mixes with the downwardly moving heated fuel vapor passing into the chamber 5I. the mixture of fuel .and air passing annularly around the chamber 5|, up through a plurality of ports 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) in' the 4plate 55, thence ari-if` nularly in the chamberv 55' (formed betweenv plates 42 and 55) and passes out ofthe burner tubes 43 (Fig. 5). .v

The air forthe combustion of the fuel inthe name chamber FC is preferably diverted fromV the air passing into the intake I3' so that the air used for converting the fuel will also be cleaned by the usual air cleaner (not shown) mounted on the intake i5'. As illustrated herein a portion of the air from the, intake I5 is diverted by means of an inclined tube 5I which .extends` into the intake I5 and connects with a vertical passage 5iK formed in the body member I0. This air then passes-throughs port 52 in the body member and into an air chamber 53 formed in the hollow cover I2' above the plate 30. 'I'he air tube 53 is provided with a plurality of air inlet ports 54 within this air chamber, so that a portion of the diverted air into the air tube 53. 'Ihese inlet ports are so proportioned that the air passing therethrough is just suflicient to cause complete combustion of theY 'flame fuel fed through the jet 41.

An additional quantity of air supplied to the air chamber -53 passes through a plurality of ports 55 (herein eight in number) in the plate 35.

This additional air strikes a baille plate 55 positioned in the upper portion of the flame chamber FC; so as to divert the air outwardly before it passes downwardly, and mixes with products of combustion in the flame chamber so as to be gasifying chamber GC.

'I'he Amainfuel supply is discharged 4into'the gasifying chamber GC and, as illustrated herein, passes through a jet 15 positioned inthe upper end of the tube 25, through the tube 25 and therewith into the through a connecting tube 1| extending through 'of an internal combustion engine so that suction is applied to the lower end of the passage I4, the various chambers and passages in the fuel converter are also placed under suction. This is sufficient 4to raise the' level of the fuel within an inverted cup-shaped member "which is posi-V tioned over the jet 15 and the upper end of the tubular portion 25 of the fuel bowl. so that the fuel passes through the horizontal port 15 and down through the discharge port of the jet and into the fuel tube 26. In l over the upper end of the fuel tube, a portion of this fuel enters the vertical ports '29' which communicate l storage tanks, the inlet of fuel to the bowl being controlled by a suitable valve 89 operated by a float 8|'. 'Ihe float 8| itin the form of anannulus and carries a spider 8| having a central portion 8|f' whichv engagesthe valve 8|) and a plurality'of apertures 82jthrough which fuel may flow directly from the inlet passage 89' to the space within the oat8| and immediately vadjacent the intake to the jet 18. The valve 88, although provided with a conical enel,v has a squared intermediate section so as to serve as 'aY guide and still provide a passage for fuel.

Preferably, means is provided for supplying two dierent fuels tothe fuel bowl whenthe converter is. intended for usein connection withheavier hydrocarbon fuel, such as fuel oils. In such cases it is generally desirable to start ythe operation of the converter on a lighter fuel such gasoline. For this purpose and vfor the purpose of providing fuel to prime the converter, a

-two-fuel valve 83 is mounted on the cover I2".-

'I'his valve has a casing 83' provided with an inlet 84 adapted for connection to a supply of gasoline and an inlet 83 adapted lf or connection to a supply of fuel oil. A cylindrical valve element 83" is operable by means of `an arm 88 (Figs. l, 9 and 10) and has three positions, in

one of which (Fig. l) it is, adapted to supply gasoline to apriming means, in another of which (Figs. 9 and 10) it is adapted to supply gasoline to the intake 'port 88', and in a third of which `it is adapted to feed v fuel oil to the intake 80.

These positions of 'the valve are indicated by the letters G (for gasoline), P' (for priming), and ,'O (for oil), indicated in Fig.` 10. Preferably a spring pressed detent device 81 (Fig. 9) is provided for maintaining the valve in its adjusted positions.

The valve element 83" has three diametrical ports P', G' and O' extending therethrough. As

'shown in Fig. l, the valve port'P' establishes communication between the gasoline inlet 84 and a passageway `88 in the cover I2" which communicates at one end with a port 89 in the valve casing 83' and at its other end with a tube flowing to the discharge pipe Also, for priming purposes, a jet ||3 is connected to the tube 88' and discharges into the chamber 83 duringv a. priming operation, this fuelilowing into the llame chamber FC through the openings 85.

'Ihe valve element 88", when in the position marked G (Figs. 9 and.l0) is adapted to'feed gasoline from the inlet port 84 through a connecting port |15, valve port G', a port |18 in.

the valve casing, and inlet port'80 to the fuel bowl. In this position of the valve, the priming means and the 4oil supply are cut oil by the f rotation of the ports P" and O' out of vertical alinement with theinlet ports 84 andvv 88. .To

feed oil from the inlet port 85 tothe fuel bowl the valve element 83 is rotated to the position marked O (Fig. 10)l in which position the port Q' connects the 'inlet port 8'5 with a port ||1 in the valve casing. This port connects with the passage ||8 communicating with the'inlet port 88'. When the valve element is moved to feed oil to the fuel bowl, the gasoline supply both tothe fuel bowl and to the priming means is disconnected. y s

I'he air valve of compensator 22 hereinbefore referred to is pivoted by means of a horizontal shaft 98 and has an arm 9|, the vouter end of which is. secured by means of a pin 92 to the upperendof a rod 93. IIlie lower end of the rod 93 engages an adjusting screw 94 threaded into the lower wall of a housing member 95 which surrounds the air valve mechanism. The adjusting screw`ji's thus effective to determine the closed position of the air valve with respect to the seat 2|. A tubular member 96 surrounds the lower portion of the rod 93 and is siidably mounted in a vertical bore 91 'in vthe housing 95. This tubular member may be adjusted vertically by means of an arm 99 (Fig. 6) which is attached to a shaft rotatably mounted in an extension 95' of the housing 95 and carries a disk |09 (Fig. 1)

on which an eccentric pin llll is mounted. 'I'his pin engages in an annular groove |02 formed in the upper end ofthe tubular member 96 so that by rotating the shaft 99 by means ,of the arm 98 the vertical position of the member 96 may be adjusted. This adjustment is utilized to vary the tension exerted on the air valve 22 by means of a coiled spring |03 which is positioned within the tubular member 96 and intermediate a disk |84 (secured to the lower end of the rod 93) and a shoulder |85 formedon thev upper end of the member 98. To minimize fluttering of the air valve, a. weight |88 is preferably secured to` th rod 93 by. means of a pin |01.

T'he operation of the invention will now be described on the assumption that the body member I8 is properly .installed on the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a` is filled toits normal level, as indicated. Upon cranking the internal combustion engine, the lower portion of the passage lli is subjected to suction with the result that through the interconnecting passages, chambers and ports suction 25. A portion of this fuel passes downwardly through the ports 26' through the annular port 21', horizontal port 45, vertical port 46 and jet 41. to the fuel tube 44. -At the same time,air is drawn in through .the diverting member 6l), ports 6| and 92, chamber 63, port 64, air tube 53, and chamber 54 to mix with the fuel in the chamber 5|. This mixture passes upwardly through the ports 56, chamber 58' and burner tubes 43. andv into the flame chamber FC where the combustible mixture is ignited by means of a spark plug S (Fig. 5), the points ofY which project into the flame chamber. The products of combustion are Vtlrst mixed with the additional air. entering the rame chamber through the ports and then pass through the annular 4,passage A be around 2000 F. and the mixture of inert gases and additional air is also in the neighborhood of this temperature, the fuel discharged into the gasifying chamber is subjected to these gases and air at such high temperature with the result that the lighter ends of the fuel are immediately vaporized, mixed with the hot air and burned and the resulting heat, added to the heatA of the flame chamber gases, cracks the remainder of' the fuel and forms xed gases. These pass on out through the passages 36, 31, 38, 39 and ll during which passage they are cooledso that when they are discharged from the outlet Il into the main/passage Il they are mixed with the main volume of incoming air so that the resulting mixture passing the throttle I5 may be in the neighborhood of 140 F. This cooling is accomplished partly by the tortuous path through which they pass and additionally by radiating vanes Il' on the converter casing Il.

Preferably, an aperture 12 is provided in the lower portion of the member so that any fuel which may condense in the exit passages in the bowl I l gravitates to the bottom of this bowl and is returned through port 12 to the gasifying chamber.l the apparatus is started andhas not reached its normal operating temperatures, the gases passe ing out from the gasifying chamber through the cooling means (the bowl Il being preferably formed of a material such as aluminum-to increase its cooling capacity) having some portions of-vapor mixed therewith which condense.

Furthermore, any quantity of fuel collecting in"` the bottom of the bowl Il serves as an extra supply to take care of sudden load demands and improves the operation of the device when used on motor vehicles. f

If the apparatus is started coldfthe operation may be instituted Ilwith the valve element 83" in its priming position wherein gasoline will lbe fed directly into the main passage Il and into the flame chamber. As soon as the priming operation is completed,` the valve element 83" is shifted to the position of Fig; 9 wherein the more volatile of thetwo fuels is fed to the'fuel bowl.

As soon as the converter has reached a stable operating temperature, the valve 83" is shifted so as to feed the heavier hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel bowl and permit the conversion of such heavier hydrocarbon fuel into fixed gases in the same manner as described for therlighter fuel.

During operation of `the apparatus, `the air valve or compensator 22 serves to close the main passage I4 at idling speeds of the engine so as to increase the suction in the converter. As the speed of the engine increases and the volume of air passing therethrough becomes larger, the compensator 22 is swung on its pivot shaft 9| against the compression of the spring |03 so as to permit additional quantities of air to pass downwardly through the passage I4 and mix with the fixed gases discharged from the outlet 4|.

The amount of air passing through passage Il at idling speed may be adjusted by means of the screw device 94. Furthermore, if it is desired to choke the apparatus on starting, this may be accomplished by means of the control arm 93 (Fig. 6) which when rotated increases the compression `of the spring |03 and thereby acts to hold the compensator 22 more rmly in its low speed position. ,A port I5' in the valve I5 isA preferablyvprovided to function as an idling pasl sage when the throttle is closed and enable suction to be appliedto the'converter.

Such condensation may occur when It is believed readily apparent that the apparatus as disclosed herein is4 simple in form and l compact in structure., The provision of a fuel bowl, fuel feeding means, and fuel supply means 'wherein either of two fuels may be discharged into the fuel bowl andln proximity to theinletto the fuel feeding means enables a quick change from one fuel to theother when the-device is in operation. Thus, if the connection to the heavy Vfuel is left on when operation ceases and the device has sufficiently cooled to make it desirable tousethelig'hterfuelforstartingpurposes,a`

swltehover 1mm the heavy tu the light fuel gives av practically instantaneous supply of light fuel to the fuel feeding means.

The construction of the flame and gasifylng chambers is also of particular advantage. As illustrated herein. the air vsupplied through tube 53 is heatedin its passage through the tube and through the annular chamber 54 beforeit comes 20 in contact with the fuel passing through fuel tube I4, and the resulting mixture of hot air and vaporized fuel passes annularly through the chambersland 5l' so as to .be thoroughly mixed und is heated before discharge from the burner 2! tubes I3. Furthermore, with the tubular mem-- ber 33 positioned centrally in the cup-shaped member 3l, a very compact arrangement is obtained, the thicker upper portion of the member sa 4cooperating with the fuel tube 1| to form u 30 restricted passage 1I' through which the hot inert gases and heated air pass into the gasifying chamber. The construction of these parts is such as to permit of `ready replacement if after long usage tliey are deteriorated due to the intense 35 heat to which they are subjected. By removing the fuel bowl element, these inner parts become readily accessible and, if desired, the cup-shaped member 3l, tubular member 33, and the annular Apieter. n, su und sz may be supplied as u unit, 4D

either with or without the air tube `53 and fuel tubell. This permits of convenient assembly of the parts originally as well as replacement. v

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described ,com- 45 cover, a float oontrolledvalve in said fuel bowl,

a :flame chamber within said converter casing and substantially centrally thereof, means for feeding a mixture of fuel and air to said llame chamber including fuel and air tubes passing through the flame chamber, means forming a gasifying chamber, means forming an outlet from the flame chamber to the gasifying chamber, means for supplying additional air to the llame chamber independently of said fuel and air mixture so that the additional air intermixes with and is heated by the products of combustion before passing into the gasifying chamber, means for conducting fuel fromv said fuel bowl directly to said gasifying chamber, and means forming a mage from the gasifying chamber to the `passage in said body member.

2. A fuel converter comprising, in combination, 7

and substantially centrally thereof, means for 7 feeding a mixture of fuel and air, to said ame chamber, means forming a gasifying chamber in said converter'casing belowsaid flame chamber, means for conducting fuel and the lproducts of combustion from the ilame chamber to the gasifying chamber, additional means for supplying additional air tothe name chamber for mixture with the products of combustion prior to their discharge into the gasifylng chamber so as Ato be heated thereby, and a] discharge passageleading from said gasifying chamber. r

3. In a device of the character described-in combination, 'a converter casing, means forming a gasifying chamber within said casing, means for supplying a mixture of hot'inert gases and air to said gasifyingy chamber including means forming a port' through which said products pass into the gasifying chamber, and means for discharging fuel into said gasifying chamber including a fuel tube, a fuel bowl into which one end of the fuel tube extends and means. for connecting either of ltwo fuel supplies to said fuel bowl comprising a valve device, and means vfor directing the 'f fuel 'into the fuel bowl in the immediate vicinity of the end of the fuel tube.

4. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, a main body member and having a downdraft passage therethrough and adapted at its lower end for connection to theA intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a fuel converter comprising a casing secured to said body member and having a ilamec'hamber and a gasifying chamber therein, means forming a iirst series of passages-for supplying fuel and air to said name chamber, and means forming a second series of passages for supplying fuel vand air to said gasifying chamber, a fuel bowl positioned above said converter casing, a oat control valve for maintaining the normal level of fuel in said fuel bowl, a valve device positioned above. said fuel bowl and having two inlet ports, one for connection toa gasoline supply, and the' other for connection to a heavier oil supply, and having a plurality of positions of operation, in one of which gasoline is supplied to said fuel bowl, and in another of which a heavier oil is supplied to the fuel bowl. l I

5. In apparatus for the conversion of liquid fuel, in combination, a casing comprising a flame chamber anda gasifying chamber below the flame chamber, passages for supplying a combustible mixture of fuel and air for maintaining a flame in the flame chamber, an additional passage for supplying excess air to the upper portion of the ame chamber, .a tube communicably connecting the flame chamber with the gasifyng chamber, means for admitting liquid fuel to the gasifying chamber, and means for cooling the products discharged from the gasifying chamber.

6. A device of the character. described comprising, in combination, a main bodymember having a passage therein and adapted at one end for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a converter secured to, one side of said body member and arranged to convert liquid fuel into fixed gases, a fuel bowl supported above said converter, a fuel feeding member having an inlet portion uprising from the bottom of the bowl to a position above the normal yfuel level, an annular oat device in said bowl surroimding the upper end of said -memberk and a valve operated by said device for maintaining the fuel level in said fuel bowl,'said valve device controlling Aa fuel inlet port discharging directly into the space centrally of the float de'- K 4adapted at its lower end for connection to the converter secured to one side of said body mem.

f uprising'l from the bottom thereof to a position vice and adjacent the inlet portion of the fuel feeding member. f '7. In a device of, the character described, in combination, a converter casing, a gasifying' chamber formed witlin said casing, means for 6 supplying a mixture of hot inert gases and air to said gasifying chamber including a flame chamber, a passage for supplying a combustible y mixture of fuel and air to said ame chamber fcr'combustion therein to form inert gases, a passage for supplying additional air to mix with saidinert gases, and means forming an annular portthrough which said products pass into the gasifying chamber, and means for discharging fuel into said gasifyi'ng chamber including a fuel tube forming the inner wall ofsaid annular port.

8. A device of ,the character described comprising, in combination, a main ,body member having a downdraft passage therethrough and intake manifold of`an internal combustion engine, a fuel converter comprising a casing secured to said body member and having a dame chamber and a gasifying chamber therein, means forming a :lirst series of passages for supplying fuel and air to said ame chamber, and means forming a second series of passages for supplying fuel and hot air to said gasifying chambera. fuel bowl positioned above said converter casing, arpriming device, a. float control valve for maintaining the normal level. of fuel in said fuel bowl, a valve device positioned above said fuel bowl and having two inlet ports, one for connection to a gasoline supply, and the other for connection to a heavier oil supply, and having three positions of operation, in one of which gasoline is supplied to said priming device, in another of whicligasoline is supplied to said fuel bowl, and in the third of whicha heavier oil is supplied to the fuel bowl.-

9. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, a main body member having a downdraft passage therein andadapted at its lower end for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a

ber andai-ranged to convert liquid fuel into xed gases and including a pair of fuel tubes, one of which supplies fuel to be burned in the converter for creating hot inert gases, and the other of which supplies'fuel in larger quantities for conversion into combustible gases, .a fuel bowl supported above said converter, a. tubular member uprising from the bottom thereof toa position above the normal fuel level, a float device for maintaining the fuel lever in said fuel bowl, means extending downwardly in said tubular member and forming two fuel passages, and an inverted cup-shaped member surrounding the upper end of said member and extending downwardly to a position below the normal fuel level so as to provide an annular port through which fuel maypass to said fuel passages.

10. In a device ofthe character described, in combination, a fuel bowl having a tubular portion 65 above thenormal fuel level, fa oat device for maintaining .the fuel level in said fuel bowl,` a fuel tube extending ldownwardly in a bore in said tubular portion having an axial port forming one fuel passage and cooperating with the borevin said fuel 4bowl to form another fuel passage, a Jet secured inthe upper end of said fuel tube and discharging thereinto and having a plurality/of horizontal inlet ports located above the normal fuel level in the fuel bowl, an inverted -cupu shaped member enclosing said jet and extending downwardly around the tubular portion of the float bowl to a position below the normal fuel leveltherein so as to provide an annular port through which fuel may pass to lsaid iet, and a port connecting said annular fuel port with the' space within said cup-shaped member above the normal fuel level and adapted to-receive fuel raised into said cup-shaped member by the suction within said fuel tube.

11. A device of the character described com prising, in combination, a main body member having a downdraft e therein and adapted at its lower end for connection to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, a fuel converter comprising a bowl-shaped casing secured to one side of said body member, a cover for said casing, a fuel bowl positioned above said cover, a float controlled valve in said fuel bowl,

a flame chamber within said' converter casing and substantially centrally thereof, means for feeding a mixture of fuel and air to said flame chamber including fuel and air tubes passing through thilame chamber, a gasifying chamber in said converter casing'below said flame chamber, an' outlet from the flame chamber to the gasifying chamber, al passage for supplying additional vair to the flame 'chamber independently of said fuel and air mixture, means forming a passage from the gasifying chamber to the pas sage in, said body member, and means for supplying priming fuel to said flame chamber and said downdraft passage.

12. A fuel converter structure comprising, iny

combination, a cup-shaped member having a-n opening in the bottom thereof, a tubular member within said cup-shaped member and po'sitioned with one end extending into said opening and forming a chamber,- a plurality of an nular nat plates positioned externally of said tubular 'member and. within said cup-shaped member and cooperating therewith to form a plurality of annular chambers, an air supply .tube extending through aperturesin said plates to arcanes discharge air into the lowermost annular chamber, a fuel supply tube extending through apertures in certain of said plates to supply fuelto anintermediate annular chamber, saidplates having openings therein establishing communi-` cation between said annular chambers yand be-` tween the uppermost annular chamber and the upper portion of the cup-shaped member.

13. A fuel converter structure comprising. in`

combination, a cup-shaped member having an opening in the bottom thereof, a tubular member `within said cup-shaped member and positioned with one end extending into said opening Vand forming a chamber, ay plurality of annular plates positioned externally of said tubular member and within said cup-shaped member and cooperating therewith to form a plurality of annular parallel chambers, said plates having openings therein establishing communication between 'said annular chambers and betweenl the uppermost annular chamber and the upper portion of the cup-shaped member.

14. In a device ofthe character described, a

main body member having a passage therein f adapted for connection to the intakemanifold of an internal combustion engine, and a fuel converter comprising` a bowl shaped casing, a cup-shaped member within said `casing provid-- ing a iiame chamber in which fuel and air are burned to forman inert gas having a high tem- ENocn snc'roa. 

